Many people go to the sea in boats, but few of them write as movingly about the experience as Peter Nichols does in this enthralling meditation on the wonders of sailing, the mystery of the sea, and the ebbs and flows of love. With only a sextant, his own instincts as a seasoned sailor, and a boat full of memories of his foundering marriage, Nichols sets out alone from England for Maine, where he plans to sell his beloved twenty-seven-foot sailboat, Toad.

Combining the adventure of Into Thin Air, the nautical lore of The Perfect Storm, and the spiritual self-discovery of The Snow Leopard, this thrilling adventure is a classic tale of a man struggling to come to terms with his reckless spirit, his highest hopes, and his broken dreams.

"An alarming account, told with remarkable calmness ... that should sweep away even the most resolute landlubber". -- Time

"A tale leavened with humor, keen observation, and old-fashioned sailing drama". -- Outside

"Nichols is marvelous at describing the feelings of awe and loneliness that the sea inspires". -- The New York Times Book Review